Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Cheap Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) in Singapore Found!


And so my research begins in preparation to keep cost low for my first Japan trip. Since we're planning to go from Tokyo to Osaka on the first day we arrive, then to do day trips to Kyoto & Nara from Osaka. And finally back from Tokyo from Osaka, all with 7 days, we decided to get the 7 days Ordinary Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) as it'll cost us 28,300 YEN each.

I was lucky to chance upon Creative Tours (Singapore) Pte Ltd last night and I only called them this morning. By far, they offer the cheapest JR Pass even though the price is fixed at 28,300 YEN. This means that their exchange rate is more attractive and also, the staff I spoke to extended a 5% discount if I could pay in cash.  She was able to offer me this discount even with purchase of 2 tickets only.

Today's exchange rate is 100 YEN to 1.56 SGD. With the discount, we only paid $431 each. Yipee!! The next cheapest found was $448 elsewhere. 


YEN may drop further with the Japanese government's intervention to bring the Japanese currency down against the USD but we're happy enough with this price after waiting for it to drop for a month.

Not only that, I am so happy with the E's service! With so many unpleasant customer service encounters in Singapore, I want to share that Creative Tours is really professional.

She asked me to email her my details so that she can prepare the JR Pass tickets in advance. That was 10 plus in the morning. At around 11 plus, I called to tell her that I may have to postpone the collection as something urgent cropped up. She then asked if I can issue a cheque instead but I couldn't 'coz I don't have personal cheques.

I kept apologizing 'coz she mentioned the passes were already issued. In the end,  we had to cancel it. The sweet bf then told me that he'll drive me there to pick them up. And so we did. When we reached, E had to reissue a new ticket for me as I gave her a wrong name with typo. 

The whole time, the E was pleasant about it and she even gave me some maps and advice on what to do with my JR Pass. If you want the Japan JR Route Map, just drop me a comment here with your email address. I'll send it to you within a day or 2.

Here's some tips from her and some useful websites:
  1. To exchange the JR Pass ticket for the JR Pass at Narita airport basement for the Narita Express Train tickets to get to Tokyo city.
  2. The JR Pass is valid for 7 days upon activation.
  3. For city travel (eg. within Tokyo), just show the JR Pass will do.
  4. For inter-city travel (eg. from Tokyo to Osaka), we'll need to get an additional ticket stating the date and time of travel. We can get these tickets beforehand or on the day itself.
  5. Within Tokyo, most major shopping places, even Disneyland are within reach of JR station except for Ginza and this famous shrine at Asakusa station.
  6. With this 7 days JR Pass, we can travel on all JR Group of bullet trains and not on NOZUMI, the fastest train.
  7. Go this this site to check for rail schedule.
    Creative Tours (Singapore) Pte Ltd contact is:

    16 Raffles Quay
    #01-01 Hong Leong Building
    Singapore 048581
    Tel: 6222 8475

    Ask for E coz she's nice! And someone is driving you there like me, the driver can wait at "Telegraph Road" in between Hong Leong Building and AIA Building.

    Hope you find these info helpful! =)

    *E's name has been deleted and struck off coz she's no longer working there.


    **Read more about my Japan trip here.**



    86 comments:

    Vivien said...

    Hi Mei,

    I chance upon your blog when googling for JR pass info.

    Just wonder why the cost is $431 after 5% discount? Is there a tax incurred?

    Mei said...

    Hi Vivien,

    I think there's a 5% discount because the the company will save on credit card charges if you pay in cash.

    It's not the tax incurred but rather, the cost credit card charges impose whenever a customer use a credit card to make a transaction.

    Hope this help!

    Cheers! =)

    Anonymous said...

    Hi! Can you pls send me the JR route map? ooievelyn@gmail.com

    Does it show all the routes that the JR pass can be used for?

    Thanks!

    Mei said...

    Hi,

    I just sent it to you.

    And yes, it shows all teh route that the JR pass can be used on in Tokyo.

    If you have the JR pass, you can take any JR trains (bullet trains or the slower ones in cities).

    Have fun in Japan! =)

    Anonymous said...

    Hi,

    Could you send Eliza's email to me (phow1978@gmail.com)??

    Thinking of getting the JR Pass from her. Thanks.

    Phillip

    Mei said...

    Hi Phillip,

    I've sent you the email address already.

    Have fun in Japan! =)

    Anonymous said...

    Hi there,

    pls email me the JR route map and eliza's email too!

    TIA!
    elina_paragon@yahoo.com

    Elina

    Anonymous said...

    Hi! =)

    Can you please email me the Japan JR Route Map and the email address of Eliza? I was thinking of buying from her the JR pass also =)

    Please kindly send it to my email address: santi9482@yahoo.com

    Thanks a lot for posting those wonderful information.

    Regards,
    Anna

    Mei said...

    Hi Anna,

    I've sent it and hope your trip will be fun fun fun! =)

    Cheers!

    Unknown said...

    Hi Mei

    Could you please email me the JR route map?
    Email: leejonyang2000@hotmail.com


    Thanks!
    Jon

    Mei said...

    Already sent to you Jon. enjoy your trip!

    Cheers!

    Anonymous said...

    Hi Mei,

    Thanks a lot for the map!! =)

    Regards,
    Anna

    Anonymous said...

    Hi Mei,

    so generous of you to offer to share the JR map.. do you mind sending this to me to please?
    TIA so much!

    andrea_koo@ymail.com

    Mei said...

    sent! =)

    Anonymous said...

    hello!

    Could you send me the JR map?
    Thanks! Im backpacking in japan; am going to get the rail pass for sure to save time!

    limenilegna@hotmail.com

    Angeline

    Mei said...

    Hi Angeline,

    Sent! Do let me know if you want more info on Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Nara.

    I have some with me.

    Enjoy your trip! Even the rides on Shinkansens are fun! The best tasting sandwiches I ever had are those from the Shinkansen. But it'snot cheap at more than 10SGD per box. ;)

    Cheers!

    Anonymous said...

    hi- do u mind sending me the map and eliza s contact at tanqinyi@hotmail.com many thanks in advance!

    Mei said...

    done! =)

    Anonymous said...

    can send me the JR map to edmundchuaeh1975@singnet.com.sg

    Thanks

    Anonymous said...

    Can send me the JR map and other information on Tokyo and Osaka to edmundchuaeh1975@singnet.com.sg as going there year end.

    Thanks.

    Anonymous said...

    Hi

    Can you send me both the JR map as well as Eliza's email? My email is saki3104@gmail.com

    Your entry is very helpful! Thank you!

    Saki.

    Anonymous said...

    Hi Mei,

    Would you kindly mind forwarding a copy of
    the JR map to me too?

    vkum035@gmail.com

    Thank you so much!

    Cheers,
    Vignesh

    Anonymous said...

    Hi,

    Could you pls send me the JR map at chenseng@gmail.com?
    Many thanks.

    Anonymous said...

    Hi,

    Do you mind to send me the JR map?
    email: temasek_7@yahoo.com.sg

    Many thanks.

    Anonymous said...

    Hi

    I chanced upon your blog! I would love to get the JR map from you too! =D

    Do you have any JR maps for Osaka too ?

    I am going in May. Tokyo/Osaka & Nara only.

    I might also want to get the JR pass. Mind providing me her contacts too ?

    Thanks dearie for sharing!

    regards, cynthia (xy_09@hotmail.com)

    Anonymous said...

    Hi,
    Can you send me the JR map and other information on Tokyo, Osaka & Nara to veryadtitude@hotmail.com?

    Thanks alot!

    Mei said...

    Sent! Are you going to Japan soon? Hope that everything has settled down there.

    i wanna visit Japan again sometime soon. Love it! =)

    Anonymous said...

    Hi Mei,

    could you please send me the JR route map to erny_yong@yahoo.com?

    Thanks at lot!

    erny

    Mei said...

    Hi Erny,

    It's sent with another map that shows the major railways' routes too.

    Cheers! =)

    Jia Ming said...

    Hi Mei,

    I have chanced upon your blog at HWZ.

    Can you send me the JR route map, which you mentioned in your blog,and also Eliza's email as well to jiaming-@hotmail.com

    Thanks alot!

    P.S. My email is with the hyphen, not underscore.. (:

    Mei said...

    Hi Jia Ming,

    Sent! =)

    Cheers!

    Anonymous said...

    hi,
    can u send me the JR routes map for Tokyo, kyoto, osaka, nara & takayama?

    also eliza's email as well,
    would like to purchase the JR pass!

    Thanks alot babe (:
    gerryfooo@gmail.com

    Anonymous said...

    Hi,do you mind to send me the JR routes map for Tokyo,kyoto,osaka and nara?

    Kindly send to: lonee86@yahoo.com.sg

    Thank you.

    Mei said...

    Sent! =)

    Anonymous said...

    Hi Mei,
    Can you kindly email me the JR route maps? Thanks in advance.

    lim_huiching@yahoo.com.sg

    Thyme said...

    Hi Mei,

    I'm planning to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka then back Tokyo in Mid Dec. I'm getting the JR Pass also cos this is my first trip and I think it's safer to have pass like this although the pass is quite costly. I'm not sure if you could send your itinerary to me, also the JR Route Map and contact of Eliza, the lady that you mentioned was very friendly in serving you. Many thanks. Irene (thymery@gmail.com)

    Thyme said...

    Hi Mei,

    I plan to visit Japan in Mid-Dec and places to go are Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto then back to Tokyo. Could I have your Japan Travel Itinerary? Also, can I have the JR Route map and the contact of Eliza. Thanks.
    Cheers!
    Irene
    (Thymery@gmail.com)

    Mei said...

    Hi Irene,

    Sent! =)

    Anonymous said...

    Hi Mei,

    I'm planning to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka then back Tokyo in Nov. I'm getting the JR Pass also cuz this is my first trip, is it possible if you could send your itinerary to me, also the JR Route Map and contact of Eliza, the lady that you mentioned was very gd in serving you, thanks a lot:) my email address is chillihong@hotmail.com

    Mei said...

    Ok, sent! Glad my blog is of help to you but I heard Eliza has left the company. =)

    Anonymous said...

    Hi,
    is it possible for u to send me the JR route map and also ur itinerary?

    your blog is very interesting btw ! (:
    joannalye@hotmail.com
    thanks babe !

    AMY said...

    Hi Mei,
    Sorry as a lot people have asked the same thing, but can you send me the JR route map and Itinerary too?

    I am currently trying to plan my trip as well which is next year and hoping to keep my budget low as well :x..

    However thanks for your blog, it was nice to know about the info you mentioned above. :)

    Mei said...

    Hi Amy,

    Happy New Year to you! I'm glad you found my info useful.

    What's the email to send you the JR map and itinerary?

    Cheers,
    Mei

    taesystems said...

    Hi Mei,

    Would you please send me the JR route map?

    Thanks.

    Tae

    taesystems said...

    Can you send me the JR map and other information to taekim4009 at yahoo dot com?

    Thanks,

    Tae

    Mei said...

    taesystems, done! =)

    Anonymous said...

    Hi,

    chance upon ya blog and i'm gg japan in mar, sakuraaaa! possible to email me the map as well?

    Thanks!

    zinger_burger2003@yahoo.co.uk

    shing said...

    Hi Mei,

    Can you send me an copy of the JR route map too? My email is shingsan@yahoo.com.sg

    Thank you so much in advance! :)

    Anonymous said...

    Hihi... Do you mind sharing the map and any Kyoto/Tokyo itinerary? My email add - yesterdae@gmail.com =)

    Thanks so much!

    Mei said...

    Hi there,

    Done! Enjoy your trip! Kyoto is beautiful. =)

    Anonymous said...

    Hi!

    I chanced upon yr post when I'm doing research on my trip to Kyoto and Tokyo,Ina and Karuizawa.

    Could you email me the JR Route map and contact of Eliza and info and itinerary about Tokyo and Kyoto?

    My email is lwenshi@yahoo.com

    Thank u for sharing!Appreciate your help!

    Anonymous said...

    Hello there, i am planning to go to Ktoyo and tokyo next week. I will buy the JR pass too, thanks for the info.
    By the way, appreciate you can share your map & itinerary for your kyoto/ tokyo trip...hehe thank you so much! My email add: yukoloke@yahoo.com

    yuding said...

    hello! your blog is really useful! Im planning to go tokyo/osaka/kyoto/nara/hiroshima over 14 days, but bought the 7day pass. so actually 5 days or so will be in tokyo, then the later part when travelling to other parts in japan use the Jr pass.

    so is it possible for you to send me the map for the jr pass route for osaka/kyoto/nara/tokyo and if hiroshima has, that too? ^^

    thank you very much!
    cymbol_gal@hotmail.com

    Mei said...

    Hi All,

    It's been sent. From what I last heard, Eliza has left the company. I'm going to remove her name from my site so that the company doesn't get many people calling and asking for her. Hehe...

    Have fun! =)

    Jase said...

    Hi there,

    I happen to stumble onto your blog. I'm going Tokyo for 9 days from end May to early June. It's better to get a Japan Rail Pass???

    Can you share your map & itinerary for your Tokyo trip?? My email is: veyonce77@yahoo.com.sg

    Thanks.

    swkiku said...

    Hi, do you mind to share with me your itinerary. As i find your website very useful.

    Mei said...

    Email pls, dear. =)

    DIGIMOM INDONESIA said...

    Hi!
    Thanksfully I found your blog!
    I just got my visa approved today, and i'll be adventuring Japan next month :)
    Do you find any difficulties in backpacking through japan? i mean, do they have english signs on the road so we wont get lost?
    do you have any suggestion where the best place to enjoy mt. fuji?
    Anyway, I plan to buy the JR pass at creative tour agent, as u suggested.. but I have to buy for my mom too, she stay in Indonesia (I stay in spore), could i buy for her too?
    Thanks :)

    Mei said...

    Hi there,

    I didn't backpack actually. Don't think I can manage. ;)

    They do have some English signs but on the whole, language is a barrier. It's best to do your research before going and check for directions with train station staff at major stations. The ones at smaller stations may not even be able to communicate in English.

    The best places to view Mt Fuji can be found here: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6900.html

    I went to Hakone (http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5200.html) instead becuase there's more to do there and I wanted to shop at Gotemba. I read that the view is not as good from Gotemba.

    You may not be able to buy the pass without your mum's passport.

    Hope this helps! And have a great trip!! =)

    darkpoliticks said...

    Hi Mei, thanks do much for your info. can you send me the map please? seventemplenation@hotmail.com

    Mei said...

    sent! =)

    Muthiah said...

    Can you please send it to my mail address as well? It's muthu77@gmail.com

    Anonymous said...

    Hi thanks for the info. Can please share your itinerary? maehcadnicul@gmail.com. Thank you

    Anonymous said...

    Hi Mei, could you send me your itinerary please? fruity_pearls@hotmail.com

    Anonymous said...

    Request you to kindly share your map & itinerary for your Tokyo trip?? My email is: site_mail@rediffmail.com

    Please confirm -> I know through JR pass we can travel between Tokyo-Kyoto_Osaka. But, do we need to buy another ticket to travel within Tokyo or JR pass will suffice?

    Mei said...

    Hi there,

    There's a few rail network in Tokyo. If you're using the JR rail, the JR pass will suffice. If you're using the other metros, you'll need to buy additional passes. ;)

    Anonymous said...

    Hi Mei, I will be going to Japan 1st week of Nov for 7 days. Can you share with me your itinerary I intend to go Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Tokyo if that is too adventure within the 7 days? My email is Joysee73@gmail.com

    Mei said...

    Sent and have fun! =)

    Nicky said...

    Hi Mei,

    I am going to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Tokyo in December and your blog has been very useful in planning my itinerary!!

    Appreciate if you could send me the JR route map, other maps you may have as well as your itinerary.

    Thank you so much!! :)

    My email address is nicky1506@hotmail.com

    Unknown said...

    Hi Mei,

    thanks for the post. I have been researching for the JR pass in Singapore but the one you bought is the cheapest of all I can find. Can you also email me Eliza's email address? Thanks for the help.

    regards
    Shey

    Unknown said...

    Hi Mei,

    I forgot to include my email address in the previous comment. Its twinkle_dreams@hotmail.com. Sorry about that. Can you please email me Eliza's email address?

    Thanks and regards
    Shey

    Anonymous said...

    Hi Mei

    Is it possible to share E's email add please?
    Thanks
    Christiechristiegoh@gmail.com

    Christie ((:

    Mei said...

    Hi,

    She's no longer working there from last I heard. So you can just google and call http://www.creativetours.com.sg/ for a quote.

    =)

    Anonymous said...

    Can you send me the map? ah_ye@hotmail.com Thank you very much. Any updates about that?

    Mei said...

    Hi there,

    Sent! =)

    Anonymous said...

    Hi Mei,

    I'll be travelling during the March period to Tokyo Kyoto Osaka Nara and Takayama, thanks for the info so far on your blog, would appreciate it if you could send me your itinerary and the JR map!

    Thanks v much. Is there anything we need to bring with us when we purchase the JR passes?

    email: jenniferghc@yahoo.com

    Happy New Year!

    Anonymous said...

    Hi Mei,

    I will be travelling to Japan in May, could you please send to me via email Eliza's email and JR map?

    email: bagsroom@gmail.com

    thanks babe.

    jaY said...

    Hi Mei,

    It's my turn to do the same thing as you - Tokyo-Osaka trip. Appreciate if you could send me your itinerary and the JR Train map :)

    Email: jmie28@yahoo.com.sg

    Thanks loads!
    Thanks to you now I know I can find the pass elsewhere other than JTB. So blur of me to not google it earlier.

    shi jie said...

    Hi Mei,

    Appreciate your help to forward me your itinerary and JR map! My email would be shijietan@hotmail.com
    Thank You so much!! :D

    Unknown said...

    Hi Mei,

    I'm also planning a Tokyo-Osaka trip. Appreciate if you could share your itinerary with me~ Thanks alot! :D

    Queenie

    Anonymous said...

    Hi Mei,

    Was wondering if you're able to send me the JR Map too? I will be traveling from Osaka to Tokyo. If we're not able to take the Nozomi train then how long will the journey take? Do you still remember? Hee hee! It'll be really good if I can hear some news from you!

    Thanks!

    Chewy (ong_chewy@hotmail.com)

    Unknown said...

    Hi Mei

    Could you also send me your itineary and JR map? My email is ken_thia@yahoo.com.sg.

    Thanks so much for sharing.

    Cheers!

    Unknown said...
    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
    Mei said...

    Hi Quuenie,

    Sorry for this super late reply. May i have your email?

    Mei said...

    Hi Chewy,

    It should be around 2.5 hours I think.

    Cheers! =)

    Unknown said...

    Hi,
    Please send me the JR Map.
    My emailid is skp3004@gmail.com.
    Thanking You!.